Don't Go Breaking My Heart--How to Update an Outdated Bench

Oh, but I did break the heart, or at least hide it.  Some neighbors I don't even know who live down the street brought me this a few months back.

 They said they were going to throw it out and then thought of that lady down the street who always works outside :).   I added a wood thingy I had over the heart--glued it andused some wood fill around it where the heart was still peeking out.

 

 I then painted and distressed the bench and added a piece of beadboard that was brown to start.  Be gone 80's country look!

 

Alien Abduction!

My daughter saw pictures of her big brother in this costume from about 8 years ago. 

 Sadly, I did not save the original, so I had to remake it.  I got the idea originally from Family Fun Magazine.  It is a bit of a challenge to put on a person and not the most comfortable of costumes, but pretty quick to assemble last minute!

 

She is such a ham!

Under $100 Linky Party

First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to help me to figure out some of my blog problems.  This is what I discovered thanks to you is that when I look at it through Chrome it is all normal (except the links to other posts that I think I deleted when trying to delete my background), when I go through Explorer it is all messed up.  Chrome is slower on my computer, but using it also solved some Pinterest issues I was having.  So I guess if you want to see all of my blog, and my guess is others as well, use something other than Explorer (I am still going to try to update Explorer and see if that makes a difference).  Problem solved for now, however computer gurus at the schools here say Chrome is the most problematic and we should use Firefox or Explorer-hmmm?-- will have to see.  Now to share some lovely links from last week.

What a fun idea for a shelf from Something Created Everyday.

Oh, you all know I love anything pallet and this cabinet from Shabby Love does not disappoint. 

Having a hubby with Celiac's Disease, I love good GF recipes like this granola from Enjoy the Journey.

My Craft Closet shared her kitchen wall redo--so warm!

OM goodness, love this mud closet from The 36th Avenue!

The Letter 4's heart leaf garland is a great way to savor those fantastic fall colors.

Forever Decorating's little stool makeover is fringetastic!

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

Help?!

Ok y'all, I am still having some blog issues.  I have some kind people volunteer to help, but at this point I don't make any money from my blog, so I don't spend any money on it.  When I look at my blog, my sidebar does not show next to my current post unless I click on the specific post, say to see the comments, then it is right where it should be?  I don't see anything at the end of my blog page to get to older posts?  I did have the if you like this post you may like these thing at the end of each post, but that is gone now?  On my linky party posts there are huge gaps?  Thank you so much in advance to anyone who actually takes the time to help--I know, figure it out myself, but I have tried.  Oh, and on the gaps I did read something and then tried to post some code in template designer in CSS (?) but it didn't seem to change anything. 

Shelf Rehab

I have decided I am in the shelf rehab business--I take outdated, less than functional shelves and with some quick fixes, bring them into this century and add some function.  I shared this one:

           

and this one:

Here is my latest.  It started life as a glossy brown piece with some sexy curves.  I started sanding before I took this picture:

I was pleased to find a lovely shade of greenish turquoise under the brown. 

Some sanding, added some painted scrap boards on the back, hooks and another 80's shelf has been rehabilitated.

Keep your eyes open for these little diamonds in the rough.

Toting Tools??

Ok, so I didn't really make this little tool box to tote tools. 

Scrap wood from the neighbor strikes again in the form of a very simple box construction with a stair spindle added for a handle.  Some fabulous color and you have got a great  little tote for towels, magazines, wine, herbs or flowers and oh so much more. 

What would you use it for?
Find more ideas at Donna's Funky junk Interiors. and at 2805

Under $100 Linky Party

Fall is in the air, in the whisper of the trees, fall is in the air in the beauty of the leaves...(sung to the tune of Love is in the Air)...and in the fabulousness of the link ups such as:

To die for dining room chairs from Ethreal Plus What I Love.

Chapman Place proves it is hip to be square.

Shizzle Design--this girl's got legs.

Puff Pastry Pizza Pockets from Joyful Homemaking--sure to be a kid pleaser.

Love Sweet Love shared adorable vintage crates.

Love these memo boards from The Old Block House.

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:
1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!
2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.
3. Please include a brief description in link up.
4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.
5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.
6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

Rising to the Funky Junk Challenge

Are you all following Donna's 31 day from blog to business series at Funky Junk Interiors?  If not, head over there NOW and check it out.  One of Donna's lessons was to look at something in a new way and she challenged us to find an object and use it in a different way.  Now this is one of my favorite things to do.  When I taught elementary school I would show the students an object and ask them to list the many varied and unusual uses and ideas for it.  They loved stretching their imaginations this way and so did I.  I have challenged myself that way a few times--check those ideas out here and here.

I decided to use a little $1 stool I had picked up at the thrift store.  Paint job on this one?? It was called cleaning out the paint brush, brushing on a few different colors I had used before washing the brush.  A little stain over the top finished the look. 

On to my unsual idea or ideas--I challenged myslef to come up with uses other than step stool for this piece.
Idea #1--Decorative "lift" to give home decor a little more height when needed.

Idea #2--A towel holder (excuse the dirty towel--I was baking a pie and it was my shoulder towel.)

Idea #3--A place to corral frequently used kitchen items

Idea #4--A little book holder for a shelf or table

Idea #5--Cookbook and recipe card holder. 

Challenge yourself--it is fun and good for your creativity.

Shabby Shelf

I quick, sloppy paint job with some white paint, heavy sanding, stain and some hooks was all it took to transform this rather dated shelf into a shabby chic bombshell. 

 Lesson--don't overlook something dated or plain at the thrift store.  Sometimes all they need is a little freshening up to give them a new lease on life.